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Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1931, Page 4

Steps are being taken bv the Gov-" eminent to put into operation the Disabled Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment, Act, which was passed by Parliament last year, according to a statement by the Minister of Defence, Hon. ,T. G. Cobh?. The recommendations of toe Ex-Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission formed the basds of the Act. hut owing to the lack of finance it has not been enforced previously. Its object is to reestablish in civil employment disabled members of the Xew Zealand Expeditionary Force and Boer War vetera,'is, irrespective of whether tbe-r disability ds due to war service or other pauses, and whether those applying for assistance are receiving, a pension. The Minister in charge of war pensions is empowered to appoint local ndvisorv committees dn specified districts to make arrangements with employers for the unemployment of disabled soldiers, to establish schemes for vocational training, and to supplement the comings of disabled soldiers in any employment. Provision is mad' for the appointment, so far as practicable, to every local advisory committee ot representatives of societies or associations controlling war funds, or organisations c r employers and of workers, of the New Zealand Returned

Returned Soldiers’ Association, and

the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross an<l Order of St. John. 'There is also provision for the appointment as members of the Public Service of such employment and locational officers a.s may be-, necessary for tbe purpose of carrying out the objects of the Act. Although the Act has been on the Statute Book since O tob-er of last year, the Govoniinent has been unable, oiling to the depression and financial stringency, to .set its machinery in motion. As financial firrange.nients have been completed, it has been decid’d to appoint almost immediately the local advisory committees, nominations for which, have-al-ready boon ret-e'yecl from all interested bodies, except the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, and at the same time to appoint tbe employment officers who will co-operate with' the committees. When those appointments have boon made, the Pensions Department will he in a position to receive and deal with, applications from exsoldiers wishing to avail themselves ot the provisions of the Act. The general administration of the Act is piacen in the hands of the Commissioner of Pensions, and the Mcnister has authority to delegate to the Commissioner such of his pawn's and functions under the Act as he thinks fit.